Senator Francis Tolentino virtually attends the Senate committee hearing on constitutional amendments and revision of codes on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Screengrab from Senate of the Philippines YouTube)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Tolentino was “turned off” on Friday after a resource person discussed his legislative background.
During the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes hearing, National Security Council Deputy Director Michael Eric Castillo reflected on his time spent consolidating bills and refining a substitute measure.
“My common experience whenever I am asked to consolidate various bills or to refine a substitute bill is that a 26-page bill, you could always reduce it to 10 if properly abstracted,” he shared.
Tolentino did not appreciate Castillo’s comments and urged that they instead focus on their assigned duties on the panel.
“I was really turned off — probably might be the local term — by the previous resource person who practically lectured us on how to make laws, including [implementing rules and regulations]. Even saying that a 26-page law can be turned into ten pages,” Tolentino said.
“This is just to remind all the resource persons that you just focus on your roles in this committee. You were invited to speak for and on behalf of your group relative to the proposed amendment as filed by Senator [Sherwin] Gatchalian, and don’t stray to the job of lawmaking,” he continued.
For Tolentino, lecturing senators on lawmaking “demeans” the committee and the Senate.
Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III welcomed Castillo’s comments but recommended talking about it outside the hearing as it is a different topic.